Double airbag system for protecting larger passenger spaces

An airbag system for a vehicle, comprising:

• a first airbag;
• a second airbag situated above the first airbag in a main direction of support, wherein the first and second airbags are arranged in an airbag module and are fillable by the airbag module, wherein the first and second airbags are configured to be triggered simultaneously when both airbags are triggered, and wherein the first and second airbags are configured to be triggered independently of one another;
• and
• a control device configured to control the first and second airbags,
• wherein the second airbag is configured to be triggered without the first airbag being triggered,
• wherein the control device is configured to send a triggering signal for triggering to the airbag module,
• wherein the control device is further configured to detect a sitting position of a vehicle occupant and to trigger only the second airbag in response to the vehicle occupant being in the predetermined standard sitting position, and
• wherein the second airbag is supported directly on a wall of the airbag module when the first airbag is not triggered.

A method for operating an airbag system for a vehicle, the method comprising:

• detecting, using a control device, a sitting position of a vehicle occupant;
• and
• sending, by the control device, a signal for triggering to an airbag system, wherein the airbag system comprises a first airbag and a second airbag situated above the first airbag in a main direction of support, wherein the first and second airbags are situated in an airbag module and are fillable by the airbag module, wherein the control device is configured to control the first and second airbags, wherein the first and second airbags are configured to be simultaneously triggered when both airbags are triggered, and wherein the first and second airbags are configured to be triggered independently;
• and
• in response to the vehicle occupant being in a predetermined standard sitting position, triggering, by the control device, only the second airbag without the first airbag being triggered, wherein the second airbag is supported directly on a wall of the airbag module when the first airbag is not triggered.